2013 NFL Mock Draft (Version 6.0) Rounds 1 & 2

We are eight days away from the 2013 NFL Draft, the sports world cannot wait, and the rumor mill is buzzing with draft scenarios and trade talk. While there is not a lot of talent at the skill positions at the top of this draft, it is very strong along the offensive and defensive lines, and there is a ton of depth. There is not a lot of difference in the level of talent of the players who will be selected in the late first round and the early third round due to the depth of this draft class. That is also why I only have two quarterbacks and one running back selected in the first two rounds of the draft, with so many good players on the board at other positions these players had to slide in this scenario. This is essentially my final mock draft, but I will probably tweak it again next week, because I am a draft psychopath.

ROUND 1

1 ) Kansas City Chiefs – Luke Jockel, OT (6’6 306lbs) Texas A&M – The Kansas City Chiefs just traded their second round pick (plus a 2014 conditional pick) to the San Francisco 49ers for their former starting quarterback Alex Smith, so the quarterback position has already gotten a huge upgrade. I think that Luke Jockel is the safest player in the draft, and that drafting him first overall is the smart move for the Kansas City Chiefs, he is battle tested and ready to contribute now. The Chiefs current left tackle Branden Albert is playing under the franchise tag for the 2013 season (unless he is traded), so either Jockel can start on the right side as a rookie and move to the left side following his rookie year, or Jockel can start immediately at left tackle and Albert can play on the right side or even at guard due to his versatility. The addition of Jockel should help to immensely improve the Chiefs offensive line for the 2013 season. OTHER OPTIONS: There is a chance the Chiefs have Eric Fisher, another offensive tackle, ranked ahead of Jockel and they could select him instead. Fisher has a higher ceiling, but it may take him a few years to develop, while Jockel is the safer pick. There is also the outside chance that the Chiefs draft a defensive tackle or a pass rusher here, or trade out of the slot if they are offered a good enough package, such as one that allows them to get back a slightly worse first round pick and regain a second round pick since they lost theirs in the Alex Smith trade. Hearing that the Chiefs are trying to trade out of this pick but are not finding any takers. The Miami Dolphins would like to move up and acquire one of the top offensive tackles in the class (Jockel or Fisher) and have two second round picks, but how far do they need to move up and what are they willing to pay to trade up?

2 ) Jacksonville Jaguars – Dion Jordan, DE (6’6 248lbs) Oregon – The Jaguars had the worst pass rush in the NFL last season, it is a position that they have to upgrade immediately under their new head coach, former Seahawks defensive mastermind Gus Bradley. During the 2013 NFL combine, Dion Jordan tested off the charts, running a 4.60 40-yard-dash and showing that he is fluid enough to play standing up and explosive enough to play with his hand in the dirt. There is no doubt that Jordan needs to add a lot of strength to his lanky frame, but he has great speed and athleticism which should make him an excellent pass rusher right away, and he has the skills to develop into an every down defensive end. Gus Bradley got the Seahawks to reach for an explosive, athletic pass rusher in the 2013 draft when the Seahawks selected Bruce Irvin, and there is no doubt that Jordan is a better prospect. I think Jordan to the Jaguars makes a lot of sense. OTHER OPTIONS: There is a chance that the new coaching staff decides to grab an interior pass rusher like Sharrif Floyd, or maybe a different defensive end like Ziggy Ansah. I would also include cornerback Dee Milliner on the Jags short list.

3 ) Oakland Raiders – Sharrif Floyd, DT (6’3 297lbs) Florida – The Oakland Raiders pass rush was nonexistent last season, and while Sharrif Floyd did not put up big sack numbers last season, his interior penetration skills should make Oakland’s entire defensive line more of a strength. Floyd is one of the hottest names right now among draft experts, he was very impressive at the combine, running a 4.92 40-yard-dash and showing excellent quickness and agility. I have heard some concern among scouts that he has short arms for a defensive tackle, which could make disengaging from blockers a problem for him, however I do not see that as an issue. He is strong, is very quick and agile and is blessed with a great first step. He would be an excellent addition as the Raiders rebuild and retool their entire team. OTHER OPTIONS: If Dion Jordan is still on the board, he and Ziggy Ansah would be options, as they are more traditional pass rushers. I would also include Dee Milliner and Eric Fisher on the list, but if the Raiders receive a good enough offer and get enough back in return, they are good candidates to trade out of this slot. They have a lot of needs, and with no second round pick (awful Carson Palmer trade), I think they are a prime candidate to trade out of this spot.

4 ) Philadelphia Eagles – Eric Fisher, OT (6’7 306lbs) Central Michigan – The Eagles offensive line was atrocious in 2012, and their quarterbacks paid the price, as both Michael Vick and backup Nick Foles missed time due to injuries. The Eagles do get left tackle Jason Peters back from the torn Achilles tendon that cost him the 2012 season, but Peters makes a lot of money and is now 31-years-old. The Eagles could draft Fisher, play him on the right side for now as he adds strength and bulk, and secure their left tackle of the future in the process. In this scenario Todd Herremans, who is also returning from an injury, could slide inside to guard where he is better suited. Fisher has a high ceiling, was excellent at the combine as he showed why he has quickly risen up NFL Draft boards, displaying strength and athleticism. He has crushed the entire draft process, dominating the senior bowl, testing well at the combine. OTHER OPTIONS: I keep hearing that new Eagles head coach Chip Kelly has made it clear that he wants Dion Jordan, so much so that I hear the team may be willing to trade up to secure him, but in this scenario he is off the board. Kelly was Jordan’s head coach at Oregon, and he has had nothing but good things to say about his former defensive star since the draft process started, so the two reuniting in Philly would make a lot of sense. Dee Milliner could also be a fit, as could any number of defensive linemen/pass rushers. Some experts think Geno Smith would be a good fit as Philadelphia’s quarterback of the future, and they did such a good job filling holes in free agency, that he could be an option if Chip Kelly thinks Smith can excel in his scheme. Also hearing Chip Kelly is very high on Utah defensive tackle Star Lotulelei.

5 ) Detroit Lions – Dee Milliner, CB (6’0 201lbs) CB Alabama – I truly believe that the Lions are on the cusp of being an excellent team, however I knew that they overachieved in 2011, and knew they would take a step back in 2012. If I am the Lions I am looking to improve in two places this offseason, the secondary and getting another wide receiver opposite Calvin Johnson, so when a team triples him quarterback Matt Stafford can make them pay. There are no wide receivers worth drafting here, so Alabama cornerback Dee Milliner would be an excellent pick, he is the best corner in this class and answered all questions about his speed at the combine by running a blazing 4.37 40-yard-dash. He has good size to go along with his speed and has a nose for the football. He would start in the Detroit secondary from day one, and plays both the run and the pass well, he would present a huge upgrade to the Lions defense and is too good of a player to pass up here. OTHER OPTIONS: Ziggy Ansah would be an excellent fit at defensive end, or the team could opt for a speed rusher like Barkevious Mingo. If Luke Joeckel or Eric Fisher are still on the board they could also be an option here.

6 ) Cleveland Browns – Barkevious Mingo, DE (6’4 241lbs) LSU – The Browns need playmakers on both sides of the ball, and new general manager Mike Lombardi knows the value that a blue chip pass rusher brings to a defense, and while the Browns have a good one in Jaabal Sheard they need another terror off of the edge with superstar potential, and they get one here in Mingo. He has an extremely high ceiling, he is an athletic freak (4.59 40-yard-dash), but he has to get stronger and learn effective pass rushing moves. However, he has a killer first step and will be an excellent situational pass rusher as a rookie, who will develop into a lot more over time. OTHER OPTIONS: The Browns could really use some playmakers on offense, but there are not a lot of options here, and Geno Smith does not seem like a Lombardi-style quarterback as he likes big-armed pocket passers.I am hearing that the Browns are interested in trading down, and since both the Chargers and the Dolphins are looking to trade up to secure an offensive tackle, this could be a good spot to do it. If either team is interested in Oklahoma’s Lane Johnson, they could move ahead of the Arizona Cardinals, and draft them here. I have been told that if the Browns are selecting sixth overall the pick comes down to Milliner or Mingo.

7 ) Arizona Cardinals – Lane Johnson, OT (6’6 303lbs) Oklahoma – The Arizona Cardinals finally got a big armed quarterback who can deliver the ball to Larry Fitzgerald downfield when they traded for Carson Palmer, now they need to find a way to keep him upright. Johnson is another one of the hotter prospects in the draft right now, he was a junior college quarterback, then he transferred to Oklahoma where he was a tight end at first who eventually bulked up to play offensive tackle. He showed the athleticism of a former skill position player at the combine, when he ran a 4.72 40-yard-dash, but also showed strength on the bench press. I would not be shocked if five years down the road Johnson is the best offensive tackle in this class, he is so athletic and has the frame to add a lot of power and bulk, his ceiling is extremely high. OTHER OPTIONS: The Cardinals feel that they have already upgraded the quarterback position by trading late round picks for Carson Palmer, but they need to protect the immobile pocket passer, so offensive line is a safe bet here.

8 ) Buffalo Bills – Geno Smith, Quarterback (6’3 214lbs) West Virginia – Geno Smith actually reminds me a lot of Tony Romo, which is not an insult, he reminds me of Romo because they do the same things well. They both have a quick release, are very athletic in the pocket and have great feet, they both use their athleticism to extend plays. I call him “pocket athletic.” I have discussed this at length in this piece, Smith is not a running quarterback, he is a pocket passer. The Bills are one of the only teams in the NFL who do not seem to know what they are doing at quarterback next season, they have brought in Kevin Kolb and Tavares Jackson, but I doubt their new regime will feel comfortable with either of those signal callers as their starter. There is a lot of speculation that the Bills could go in another direction here and target new head coach Doug Marrone’s former starting quarterback at Syracuse, Ryan Nassib later in the draft, but to me Nassib is a poor man’s Geno Smith. Take the best quarterback in the class here and fill other needs later on. OTHER OPTIONS: The Bills need an inside linebacker but none are worth this pick, and although their offensive line should be a strength they could also use an offensive guard (Chance Warmack, Jonathan Cooper) to replace Andy Levitre, who left for Tennessee in free agency. They could also use a pure speed rusher off the edge, so Barkeivous Mingo would be an option, and think that they will listen to trade offers. Unless they select a quarterback here, there is not a lot of value that meets a need at this slot for Buffalo.

9 ) New York Jets – D.J. Fluker, OT (6’6 335lbs) Alabama – Right tackle has been a revolving door and an absolute nightmare for the Jets for the last few seasons, and an upgrade is a must, but the ninth pick overall seems early for a right tackle. Not when that player is as good as D.J. Fluker. He is an absolute an absolute mauler in the run game, who plays with a nasty streak, and can hold his own in pass protection. Running behind Fluker will improve their running game immensely, and take pressure off of their quarterback, no matter who it might be. After watching Wayne Hunter, Austin Howard and Jason Smith get absolutely overwhelmed by defenders over the last few seasons, Jets fans know how big of a need an upgrade at right tackle is, and I think Fluker has multiple time Pro Bowl potential. OTHER OPTIONS: The Jets need playmakers on offense, but there are none worth taking here, but a guard (Chance Warmack, Jonathan Cooper) could be an option. The Jets also had a total lack of a pass rush on the from the outside last season, which is a key for the 3-4 defense, so they need to get a pure speed rusher to play opposite free agent signee Antwan Barnes so Barkevious Mingo or Ziggy Ansah are an options. Rex Ryan is known to think very highly of Mingo.

10 ) Tennessee Titans – Ziggy Ansah, DE (6’5 271lbs) BYU – The Tennessee Titans have a proven pass rusher on one side of their defensive line in Kamerion Wimbley, but across the defensive line from him is former first round pick Derrick Morgan, who has been average but unspectacular. Ansah has been the fastest rising prospect in this draft class, and he absolutely destroyed the combine, he ran a 4.63 40-yard-dash plus looked excellent in space and showed power, speed and agility. He would instantly upgrade the Titans pass rush and could become one of the best players in this draft with some more experience, he just started playing football his junior year in high school, his ceiling is extremely high due to the ridiculous athleticism he has for his size. OTHER OPTIONS: The Titans have a nice set of young defensive tackles in Jurrell Casey, Karl Klug and Mike Martin, however all of these players have similar builds and lack massive nose tackle bulk so massive Star Lotulelei is a solid option. They also signed Andy Levetire in free agency, so guard is not as big of a need as it was, but they could still use another one making Chance Warmack and Jonathan Cooper solid options.

11 ) San Diego Chargers – Chance Warmack, G (6’3 317lbs) Alabama – If new head coach Mike McCoy wants to rebuild this franchise quickly, it is best to start in the trenches, and keep quarterback Phillip Rivers upright. The Chargers offensive line was atrocious last season, they need to totally revamp the entire unit to give their skill position players a chance to make plays. In this scenario, the top four offensive tackles are off of the board by the 11th pick, and as we get closer to the draft I think this is likely. In this scenario they draft one of the best guard prospects that I have ever scouted in Chance Warmack, a thick and powerful guard with sneaky athleticism, Warmack packs a powerful punch. He has the skill set to be a multiple time All Pro, and will help in the running game, where he drives lanes open for running backs. OTHER OPTIONS: The Charges really need an offensive tackle, so they could be a candidate to trade up, but if I am Mike McCoy this draft is all about fixing the offensive line. They could also use playmakers at wide receiver, but none are really worth taking here, and upgrading the offensive line is a much higher priority. UPDATE: Hearing that the Chargers (and the Dolphins) are the two teams most interested in trading up to secure a top offensive tackle and the Raiders at #3 and the Browns at #6 are their top trade targets.

12 ) Miami Dolphins – Tyler Eifert, TE (6’6 250lbs) Notre Dame – The Miami Dolphins went into this offseason lacking playmakers, but they filled this need in free agency, signing wide receivers Mike Wallace, Brandon Gibson and tight end Dustin Keller. Ryan Tannehill now has many targets in the passing game, which was a huge problem for the Dolphins last season. The team still lacks a big target that can become a matchup nightmare in the passing game, especially in the red zone, and I hear that the coaching staff is enamored with Notre Dame tight end Tyler Eifert. He can be used in two tight end sets with Dustin Keller, but is also able to split out wide or even line up in the slot, where his size/speed combo becomes a major problem for defenders. OTHER OPTIONS: The Dolphins have the luxury of two second round picks, so they do not need to reach to fill a need, and could take the best player available. After losing longtime left tackle Jake Long in free agency, the Dolphins could draft another tackle, if one worth the pick is available. The Dolphins could elect to draft a safety here and a corner later, they need both, so Kenny Vaccaro is an option. UPDATE: Hearing that the Dolphins (and the Chargers) are the two teams most interested in trading up to secure a top offensive tackle and the Raiders at #3 and the Browns at #6 are their top trade targets. The Dolphins have two second round picks to use as trade bait.

13 ) Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Tavon Austin, WR/KR (5’9 175lbs) West Virginia – The Buccaneers seem to be headed in the right direction, but they desperately need help at cornerback, however in this scenario there is none worth taking on the board. There is nobody on the board with value who fills a major need, so why not draft a luxury player, a dynamic playmaker? Austin is the most explosive player in the draft, a true threat to score whenever he has the ball in his hands, and while Tampa is strong on the outside they lack a slot receiver. Austin will return punts and kickoffs, and on offense, he will be a matchup nightmare who is a threat to take every reception to the house. If the Bucs get creative and get him the ball on screen passes or quick-hitters, he could score a lot of touchdowns. OTHER OPTIONS: Obviously corner is their biggest need, and there has been talk that the Bucs will trade for Darrelle Revis on draft night, but it is unclear if this pick will be involved. As a rule we do not mock trades. The Bucs could also use a massive defensive tackle to clog the defensive front against the run, so Star Lotulelei could be an option.

14 ) Carolina Panthers – Star Lotulelei, DT (6’4 311lbs) Utah – The Carolina Panthers found a gem in middle linebacker Luke Kuechly, who led the NFL with 164 tackles as a rookie, but who could really use some help in front of him. My feeling is that they will get lucky in this draft and land massive nose tackle Star Lotulelei, who at one point was the top player on my big board. A undetected heart issue kept him from working out at the NFL combine, and gave teams a scare, but he has now been given a clean bill of health and is able to work out fully. Still, this scare will cause him to slide a bit, but Lotulelei is a dominant defensive tackle who commands double teams, pushes the pocket, and destroys plays in the backfield as they develop. He is violent with his hands and plays with great leverage, although he will never be an explosive interior pass rusher, he will make rushing the passer much easier for his teammates by dominating the interior line. He makes the game easier for everyone else on the defensive side of the ball because of the attention that he commands, and will be a great fit in Carolina. OTHER OPTIONS: The Panthers could use help everywhere on defense, except inside linebacker, where they found a good one in Kuechly. Also, they need to find reliable targets in the passing game for quarterback Cam Newton, wide receiver Steve Smith is getting older and needs all the help he can get. The rumor is they have interest in West Virginia wide receiver Tavon Austin if he is available.

15 ) New Orleans Saints – Jarvis Jones, OLB (6’3 245lbs) Georgia – The Saints had the worst defense in the NFL last season by a wide margin, and now they are switching to the 3-4 defense, so adding a Blue Chip pass rusher like Jones is a must. Jones was built to play outside linebacker in the 3-4 defense, where he was voted a Two-Time first team All-American at Georgia. During those seasons, Jones racked up a total of 155 tackles, 33.5 tackles for a loss and 28.0 sacks. He is not the type of player that blows you away with combine numbers, what blows you away is Jones’ productivity, and he should instantly become an impact player for the Saints defense. OTHER OPTIONS: The Saints are loaded on offense, but their defense was the worst in the NFL last season, so they need to focus on defense throughout this draft. If Star Lotulelei, Barkevious Mingo or Ziggy Ansah are available, they could be the pick as could Georgia linebacker Alec Ogletree or Texas safety Kenny Vaccaro.

16 ) St. Louis Rams – Kenny Vaccaro, S (6’1 210lbs) Texas – The Rams were a much improved team in 2012 and since they traded the second overall pick to the Washington Redskins, who paid a hefty price to draft quarterback Robert Griffin III, they have a lot of room to improve again in the 2013 draft. They already improved their offensive line by signing former All Pro tackle Jake Long, and their biggest need is playmakers on offense, and safety where they could use two players. They fill a need here by drafting Kenny Vaccaro, who is the top rated safety prospect in the draft, and will not be around by the time they are on the clock with their 22nd overall selection. The Rams will still need to find weapons on the outside of the passing game for quarterback Sam Bradford, but with all of their extra picks, they can afford to take the top player on the board at a need position here. OTHER OPTIONS: The Rams need wide receivers, so Cordarrelle Patterson could be an option here, and they could grab a safety later. They also could grab the top running back on the board in Alabama’s Eddie Lacy or a guard like Jonathan Cooper. Also hearing that the Rams love Georgia linebacker Alec Ogletree.

17 ) Pittsburgh Steelers – Alec Ogletree, LB (6’3 242lbs) Georgia – The Pittsburgh Steelers lost wide receiver Mike Wallace in free agency, but pride themselves in being able to find productive receivers in the mid to late rounds (Mike Wallace, Emmanuel Sanders, Andre Brown) so they are not likely to fill that need and replace Mike Wallace here. I have heard that the Steelers have made upgrading inside linebacker a priority this offseason, and they get a very productive one here in Alec Ogletree, the tackling machine from University of Georgia. Ogletree is an absolute freak athlete, who makes plays all over the field, and is an excellent pass rusher. He sees plays develop and seems to be in on every tackle, in fact he lead the Georgia Bulldogs in tackles, despite being suspended for the first four games of the season. He is a former safety, he does have some off the field issues that the Steelers will have to be willing to look past to select him here. OTHER OPTIONS: The Steelers have to start getting younger on defense, especially at safety, so if Kenny Vaccaro is available he could be the pick. An outside linebacker like Jarvis Jones or a wideout like Cordarrelle Patterson or DeAndre Hopkinks could also be options.

18 ) Dallas Cowboys – Jonathan Cooper, G (6’3 311lbs) North Carolina – The Cowboys offensive line problems are different than those most organizations commonly have, most teams have problems finding their tackles of the future, but in Dallas the tackles are good and the interior offensive line is a mess. Jonathan Cooper is one of the best offensive guards to enter the NFL in quite some time, and I have him ranked just slightly behind Chance Warmack, he is a powerful blocker in the run game who is also strong against interior pass rushers. This is a major need for the Cowboys, so much so that I would not be surprised to see them draft another guard later in the draft, it has been that big of a problem. Cooper has All Pro potential at guard, there is a good chance he does not last this long, because interior lineman tend to slide on draft day. Make no mistake about it, Cooper is one of the best players in this draft, just not at a prime position. OTHER OPTIONS: Jerry Jones is always looking for stars, and although a guard has star potential, he may look for someone more flashy. The Cowboys need help at safety, and there are several safeties that could become options, like Kenny Vaccaro or Matt Elam. Another defensive tackle is also a priority, since Dallas is switching to the 4-3 defense, so Sheldon Richardson would be an option.

19 ) New York Giants – Tank Carradine – DE, (6’4 276lbs) Florida State – The Giants allowed the second most yards in the NFL this season, and they lost longtime defensive end Osi Umenyiora to the Atlanta Falcons in free agency, and they live by the philosophy that you can never have enough pass rushers. I have heard from a source that the Giants absolutely love Carradine, and despite the fact that he is coming back from a torn ACL in November, he could easily be the Giants pick at #19. Carradine is a physical specimen who bench pressed 225lbs 32 times and ran a 4.75 40-yard-dash, he can really pressure the quarterback, and his quick return from this knee injury has been described as “Adrian Peterson Like”. Adding Carradine to a pass rush that already includes Jason Pierre-Paul, Mathais Kiwanuka and Justin Tuck could make the Giants even more dangerous. OTHER OPTIONS: The Giants have not been quiet about their love for Alabama guard Chance Warmack, but I see no why that he lasts this long on draft day, and it’s not the Giants style to trade up. The Giants could also really use an upgrade at linebacker, but with Ogletree off of the board, I do not think they reach for one.

20 ) Chicago Bears – Manti Te’o, LB (6’1 241lbs) Notre Dame – The Chicago Bears and new head coach Mark Trestman made some huge moves in free agency to finally stabilize their offensive line, which has been the team’s Achilles heel for a long time now, like signing tackle Jermon Bushrod and guard Matt Slauson. They also signed tight end Martellus Bennett, who is one of the better blocking tight ends in football, and is also a threat in the passing game. The offense in Chicago should be much improved, however, they lost the heart and soul of their defense when they opted not to resign Brian Urlacher. – In this scenario, they opt to replace him with Heisman Trophy finalist and one of the most productive linebackers in Notre Dame history, Manti Te’o. If Te’o can put his catfish scandal in the rear view mirror, he will develop into a productive sideline-to-sideline linebacker, who can become the leader of a defense. OTHER OPTIONS: While the Bears greatly improved their offense this offseason, they got old on defense, and this unit may take a step back. They could use some youth along their defensive line and at linebacker, and may continue to upgrade their offensive line, to make sure Cutler and Matt Forte stay healthy.

21 ) Cincinnati Bengals – Eddie Lacy, RB (5’11 231lbs) Alabama – The Cincinnati Bengals are a team on the rise, and as long as Andy Dalton and their young offensive weapons continue to improve, they are a few roster tweaks away from one of the best cores in the NFL, I absolutely love their organizational depth. Although they have “The Law Firm” BenJarvus Green-Ellis on the roster, I do not think he will ever be anything more than solid, but unspectacular and they Bengals have virtually nothing after him on the depth chart. A back such as Eddie Lacy, who is the only running back in this class who is worth a first round pick, would bring power and explosiveness to the Bengals ground game. Lacy is not a one-tick-pony, he also has good hands and can catch the ball out of the backfield, plus he is already great in pass protection. Having a better running game will allow Andy Dalton continue to develop as a passer, and will help the Bengals offense blossom. OTHER OPTIONS: The Bengals could use another safety, so if Kenny Vaccaro slides he could be an option, as could Florida’s Matt Elam. The Bengals have drafted well over recent years and do not have a lot of pressing needs, they can afford a luxury pick, like Eddie Lacy.

22 ) St. Louis Rams – Cordarrelle Patterson, WR (6’2 216lbs) Tennessee – In this scenario, the Rams have already drafted a safety, and can pursue a downfield weapon in the passing attack. They need to find players who can catch deep balls in the passing game, and this is clearly Patterson’s strength. He has good size, great speed (4.42 40-yard-dash) and hands, but his best attribute is his body control. He can adjust in the air or on the fly to make catches on bad balls, and often turns those catches into big gains. There has been some recent talk that Patterson is sliding a bit on draft boards due to his poor interviews, however he could be a star in the NFL and the Steelers may be desperate to find one.. The Rams really need a wide receiver, and Allen would probably be off the board at this point if he were able to work out at full speed, so he is an excellent choice for St. Louis. OTHER OPTIONS: It all depend what the Rams do with the #16 pick in the first round, let me as Rams fans this, would you rather have Kenny Vaccaro and DeAndre Hopkins or Cordarrelle Patterson and Matt Elam? I could see either of those two scenarios unfolding for the Rams. An ideal situation would be Vaccaro and Patterson, which could happen, if Patterson slides a bit more.

23 ) Minnesota Vikings – Sheldon Richardson, DT (6’3 294lbs) Missouri – If the draft breaks like this, the Minnesota Vikings should rush to the podium to select Sheldon Richardson, they would be lucky that he is on the board. I could see Richardson getting drafted as early as #14 to the Carolina Panthers, but the rise of Sharrif Floyd has caused Richardson to slide a bit. The Vikings have had a strong defensive line for years, however longtime defensive tackle Kevin Williams will be 33 years-old at the start of this season, and Minnesota has to start looking for their defensive line of the future. Richardson is a very productive player who has great awareness and recognition on the field. He is excellent at sniffing out delayed handoffs and screens, he does not fall for misdirection, and he even generates a nice pass rush from the inside. It would be surprising if he is still on the board this late in the draft. OTHER OPTIONS: The Vikings signed Greg Jennings away from the rival Green Bay Packers, so wide receiver is not as big of a need, although they could still use other options. I am not a Christian Ponder fan, and I think quarterback is a need, so they could draft Geno Smith (if he slides) or Matt Barkley here.

24 ) Indianapolis Colts – Desmond Trufant, CB (6′ 190lbs) Washington – The Indianapolis Colts, lead by rookie sensation Andre Luck, were the most surprising team of the 2012 season. They need to hit a home run with their first round pick, since they traded their second round pick to the Miami Dolphins for cornerback Vontae Davis. Although they do need pass rushers and could use help at inside linebacker to upgrade their defense, which they should focus on heavily during this draft, following a few very nice under-the-radar offensive moves in free agency. The Colts have Vontae Davis and Greg Toler as their starting cornerbacks, without a lot of depth behind them, so in this scenario they grab a corner with star potential in Desmond Trufant. The younger brother of former Seahawks Pro Bowler Marcus Trufant, he is excellent in coverage and is always in the right place at the right time, has a great feel for the game and the speed to run with receivers deep. He can play all over a defense, might contribute as a nickelback on defense, and develop into a starter down the road. OTHER OPTIONS: Head coach Chuck Pagano is always looking for players to contribute in the front seven of his defense, and the Colts could also take an offensive lineman like Menelik Watson or Justin Pugh to help protect Luck, the face of the franchise.

25 ) Minnesota Vikings – Matt Barkley, Quarterback (6’2 220lbs) USC – As I said earlier, I am not a fan of current Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder, and when they drafted him I thought his ceiling as “good game-mamager backup”. I still think I am right, and if the Vikings want to contend during the Adrian Peterson era, an upgrade at quarterback is needed, and they get one here in Matt Barkley. If Barkley declared after his junior year, he would have been a top ten pick, but he elected to return for his senior year. Injuries to his non-throwing shoulder and other issues at USC forced Barkley’s stock to take a major hit, however, he still has the skill level to become an excellent NFL quarterback. Christian Ponder cannot make every NFL throw, and if he did not have Adrian Peterson as a threat to run the ball behind him, I think he would have struggled immensely. With Barkley under center, a player who can make every throw, the Vikings become contenders. He will be reunited with his former left tackle at USC Matt Kalil, who made the Pro Bowl as a rookie, and will excel with Adrian Peterson in the backfield. OTHER OPTIONS: If the Vikings are committed to Christian Ponder, which I think would be a mistake, they could draft another wide receiver or stick to improving their already solid defense with a pass rusher like Bjoern Werner or a inside linebacker like Manti Te’o or Kevin Minter.

26 ) Green Bay Packers – Menelik Watson, OT (6’5 317lbs) Florida State – The Green Bay Packers had zero running game last season, which is a big problem, because they have one of the most unstoppable passing offenses in the league. They have drafted several offensive linemen in recent years, but have not found a star that they can rely on, and who can really solidify the unit. Watson is a former basketball and soccer player growing up in England, played center on the Marist basketball team, but knew he was too small to play professionally and looked for other options. Has an NFL frame, long arms, and is an excellent athlete who can add more muscle and bulk. Has only played two years of football, still learning the game, and will be a project in the NFL. Watson’s frame and athleticism make him very intriguing as a prospect, was a right tackle at Florida State, but has all of the tools to develop into a left tackle in the NFL. The addition of Watson could help solidify the Packers offensive line, which will protect Aaron Rogers, and help the running game improve. OTHER OPTIONS: The Packers could select another wide receiver after losing Greg Jennings, and if Keenan Allen and DeAndre Hopkins are still on the board, they could be an option. Defenders such as Datone Jones, D.J Hayden or Matt Elam could also be in the mix.

27 ) Houston Texans – DeAndre Hopkins, WR (6’1 214lbs) Clemson – The Texans are excellent defensively, but really lack an outside weapon on offense for quarterback Matt Schaub across from the aging Andre Johnson, it is time to find another wide receiver and DeAndre Hopkins would be an excellent pick. Hopkins is an explosive playmaker with enough size, he can turn quick hitters into a big gain, and has the ability to make circus catches. Would be an excellent number two wide receiver right away for the Texans, he is ready to contribute from day one, which is what they desperately need. OTHER OPTIONS: If Cordarrell Patterson fall to this spot, that could be the pick, as could Robert Woods from USC or an offensive lineman like Menlik Watson, Kyle Long or Justin Pugh.

28 ) Denver Broncos – Bjoern Werner, DE (6’4 266lbs) Florida State – Bjoern Werner’s draft stock has taken a hit recently, because he does not stand out during workouts and did not impress at the combine, but he has loads of an attribute you cannot teach. He has an extremely high motor and plays with maximum effort from whistle to whistle on every play, and is an extremely productive player, who has a great feel for the game. Although his ceiling is not as high as some of the pass rushers who were drafted ahead of him, he will not be a bust, and will play in the NFL for a long time. Denver has a small window to win with Peyton Manning at the helm, and Werner will be ready to contribute from day one, has a little poor man’s J.J. Watt to his game. Always active, bats down passes, chases down plays from the backside. OTHER OPTIONS: A young safety like Jonathan Cyprien or Matt Elam could be a nice addition to the back end of the Denver defense, and you have got to assume the Broncos will draft a corner and a running back early in the draft.

29 ) New England Patriots – Jamar Taylor, CB (5’11 192lbs) Boise State – The New England Patriots need to focus on upgrading their pass defense if they are going to make another run at the Lombardi Trophy in the Tom Bray Era, and I have been told that their front office has been “all over” Jamar Taylor during the draft process, so it is a decent bet he will be an option for the Patriots here. Taylor is a hot draft prospect as of late, he excels in both man and zone coverages, and is not afraid to mix it up and play the run. High character guy, hard worker, can play outside or in the slot. OTHER OPTIONS: The Patriots could look at a safety here, and if big hitters like Jonathan Cyprien or Matt Elam are on the board, they could be the pick. Never rule out a big rotational lineman who can play multiple positions like Georgia’s Jonathan Jenkins with the Patriots, and another pass rusher can never hurt.

30 ) Atlanta Falcons – Xavier Rhodes, CB (6’2 210lbs) Florida State – The Atlanta Falcons lost cornerbacks Donta Robinson and Brent Grimes in free agency and could really use an upgrade at the position behind Asante Samuel, because a once deep position now looks to be a thin one on the depth chart. Rhodes is a long and athletic cornerback, who should develop into an excellent pro, he has the size to match up with bigger receivers and the speed to run with speedsters downfield. He will be a valuable cover guy in the red zone, and will learn a lot in practice, matched up against Falcons receivers Julio Jones and Roddy White. OTHER OPTIONS: The Falcons signed defensive end Osi Umenyiora in free agency, but also lost their best pass rusher, John Abraham so they could really use another defensive end. I am also hearing that the Falcons love Oregon offensive guard Kyle Long, so he could be an option here, to improve their line. A tight end who could learn from Tony Gonzalez for a season would be a nice add, and I could not think of a better teacher.

31 ) San Francisco 49ers – Datone Jones, DE (6-4, 283) UCLA – What do you get the team that has everything? The 49ers are the deepest team in the NFL, they are absolutely loaded, and stumbled in stud quarterback Colin Kaepernick who has lead them to a Super Bowl. They do have some aging players on their roster, including defensive end Justin Smith, and they could use some beef in the trenches to keep their defense the force that it currently is for the foreseeable future. Datone Jones is a big, nasty defensive end who is strong at the point of attack and would fit perfectly in the 49ers 3-4 defensive scheme. He is even versatile enough to play interior line in certain situations, he is excellent at holding the point of attack, and would be a great replacement for Justin Smith down the road. OTHER OPTIONS: The 49ers could take a safety, since they lost Dashon Goldson in free agency, but they are so deep, they can really take whoever they want. Plus they have two early second round picks to play with.

32 ) Baltimore Ravens – Matt Elam, S (5’10 208lbs) Florida – The Super Bowl Champions filled their need of an inside linebacker in free agency when they signed talented but troubled former Raiders first round pick Rolando McClain, however they still have a void at safety which was opened when Ed Reed and Bernard Pollard left as free agents. They added former Raiders safety Michael Huff, and they could use a more physical and intimidating safety who can make receivers think twice about going over the middle. Matt Elam is the kind of player that all NFL fans want on their team. Has a knack for the big play, will deliver punishing hits, he forces fumbles and makes interceptions. I know that you can find safeties in the later rounds, but not ones like Elam, this sounds like blaspheme to Philadelphia Eagles fans but he reminds me of Brian Dawkins. OTHER OPTIONS: I hear that the Baltimore Ravens are interested in massive Georgia defensive lineman John Jenkins, who they think could line up all over their defensive front, so he is an option here. The Ravens need to fill a lot of holes opened up during the mass exodus of players following their Super Bowl win and ensuing massive contract extension to quarterback Joe Flacco.

ROUND 2

33 ) Jacksonville Jaguars – Jonathan Cyprien (6′ 217lbs) Florida International – In this scenario, the Jaguars already have selected pass rusher Dion Jordan, and they decide to continue to upgrade their defense. The safeties currently on their roster are Chris Prosinski, Dwight Lowery, Antwon Blake and Alan Ball and this will not be good enough for new head coach Gus Bradley. He loves big, physical athletic defenders and that is exactly what rising safety prospect Jonathan Cyprien is. He can step in and be a big part of a rebuilt defense in Jacksonville.

34 ) San Francisco 49ers – Shamarko Thomas, S, Syracuse (5’10 213) Syracuse – The 49ers select a versatile defensive lineman with their first round pick, then use the pick they acquired from the Kansas City Chiefs in the Alex Smith trade to select a physically gifted safety prospect in a deep safety class who can fill in for free agency defector Dashon Golson.

35 ) Philadelphia Eagles – Jonathan Jenkins, DT (6’4 346lbs) Georgia – If The Eagles address a need on the offensive line in the first round, they can address a need on the defensive line in the second round, and select massive defensive lineman John Jenkins. He would be a nice fit in the Eagles new 3-4 defensive scheme and could line up at either end or tackle.

36 ) Detroit Lions – Keenan Allen, WR (6’3 205lbs) California – Keenan Allen is still coming back from a knee injury which cost him some games in 2012, and the injury has cost him in his draft preparation process, and forced him to look slow in workouts. Now some character concerns have surfaced after red flags from a masking agent detected in his combine drug test which will knock Allen into the second round. Make no mistake about it, Keenan Allen can play, he has strength and quickness to get open and can make big plays downfield and could be the receiving threat the Lions have been looking for opposite Calvin Johnson.

37 ) Cincinnati Bengals – D.J. Hayden, CB (5’11 191lbs) Houston – The Bengals grabbed the best running back in the draft in the first round, and now they use the pick they acquired from Oakland in the Carson Palmer trade to select one of the hottest defensive prospects in the class, Houston cornerback D.J. Hayden. Defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer really likes Hayden, and spent a lot of time with the prospect, and he will push hard for selecting him.

38 ) Arizona Cardinals – Zach Ertz, TE (6’6 250lbs) Stanford – The Cardinals are solid on the defensive side of the ball, and have already upgraded quarterback (Carson Palmer) and offensive tackle (Lane Johnson) in this scenario, but they could really use a solid pass catching tight end for their new look offense. Enter Zach Ertz, a big, reliable intermediate target who can stretch the seam for Palmer and will add to the matchup problems in the red zone.

39 ) New York Jets – Robert Woods, WR (6’1 201lbs) USC – The Jets already upgraded their offensive line, and now they get a much needed playmaker for their quarterback in Robert Woods, who is the kind of receiver that every team needs. Woods runs great routes, catches everything, and showed he is fast enough to produce in the NFL. He can develop into a safety blanket for whoever the Jets use at quarterback and will catch a ton of balls.

40 ) Tennessee Titans – Kyle Long, OG (6’6 313) Oregon – The Titans signed offensive guard Andy Levitrie this offseason, but despite this move, offensive guard is still a need. The only other guards on the roster are Chris Spencer and Kasey Studdard, so they could really use an upgrade, and Howie Long’s younger son to fill this hole. Now their offensive line is complete and running back Chris Johnson should find much more room to run.

41 ) Buffalo Bills – Justin Pugh, OG (6’5 307lbs) Syracuse – The Bills upgraded their offense already in this scenario, by drafting quarterback Geno Smith, and now they upgrade their offensive line to fill a hole opened when Andy Levitrie left Buffalo in free agency. Pugh is versatile and can start at guard but fill in at right tackle if needed, much like Levitrie did for the Bills last season.

42 ) Miami Dolphins – Terron Armstead, OT (6’5 306lbs) Arkansas-Pine Bluff – A physical freak and raw talent, Armstead ran the fastest 40-yard-dash time in the history of the NFL combine for an offensive lineman with a 4.65 40-yard-dash, who played well in both the Senior Bowl and the East-West Shrine Game. Armstead could be a steal this far down the draft board who can develop into the eventual replacement for Jake Long.

43 ) Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Sylvester Williams, DT (6’3 313lbs) North Carolina – If this were to happen, it could be the steal of the draft for the Buccaneers, who get a tough defensive tackle who plays with a nasty streak and is projected as a first round pick in the second round. Williams plays with a nasty streak, has violent hands, and is ready to contribute right away.

44 ) Carolina Panthers – Justin Hunter, WR (6’4 200lbs) Tennessee – Cam Newton needs playmakers and gets a tall and athletic one in Hunter. He has a great size and speed combination, can beat defenders deep, and is explosive after the catch. In 2011, Justin Hunter had 16 catches for 302 yards and 2 touchdowns through TWO games, until a torn ACL ended his season prematurely. Hunter has regained his explosiveness and had 73 catches for 1083 yards and 9 touchdowns last season. He needs to get stronger and add bulk, he is far too skinny, but he has the frame for it.

45 ) San Diego Chargers – Quinton Patton, WR (6’1 204lbs) – Louisiana Tech – Patton is not a burner but does have speed as evidenced by his 4.52 40-yard-dash, he is coming off of a monster season, and he should become a reliable target in the pass heavy NFL of today. He has great hands, runs sharp routes, and knows how to get open. Has a great feel for the game, confuses defensive backs, has them shaking their heads after plays. Against Texas A&M this season, Patton had 21 catches for 233 yards and 4 touchdowns. Read that back to yourself. He would be the perfect complement to Andre Johnson and would help take the Texans passing offense to the next level. Philip Rivers needs a smart receiver who he can trust, and Patton could be that player.

46 ) St. Louis Rams – Khaseem Greene, OLB (6’1 241lbs ) Rutgers – I know for a fact that the Rams have been paying close attention to Green, the former safety at Rutgers, who made the switch to linebacker. He can play sideline to sideline, is excellent in coverage, and added enough bulk to be fine at linebacker in the NFL. If the draft breaks this way, and the Rams add a running back in the later rounds, they may improve more than anyone.

47 ) Dallas Cowboys – Eric Reid (6’1 213lbs) LSU – The Cowboys are staying away from flashy players in this draft, and sticking to their needs, which hopefully for fans of the team, they actually do. Reid is a talented safety prospect who can deliver the big hit, but also has the range to get deep in coverage and make a play on the ball, and is tough against the run. He will be reunited with former LSU teammate, cornerback Morris Claiborne.

48 ) Pittsburgh Steelers – D.J. Swearinger, S (5’11 208lbs) South Carolina – In this scenario, the Steelers have already gotten an impact inside linebacker, and now they get younger at safety with D.J. Swearinger. He is a versatile safety who had an excellent draft process and will immediately help the Steelers in the back end of the defense.

49 ) New York Giants – Larry Warford, OG (6’3 332lbs) Kentucky – The Giants have already drafted a defensive end in this scenario, and as the Giants often do, they stick in the trenches and draft massive guard Larry Warford. He is a think and powerful guard who is a road grader in the running game, and will bring some added youth and bulk to the Giants aging offensive line.

50 ) Chicago Bears – Sam Montgomery, DE (6’3 262lbs) LSU – The Chicago Bears could use another defensive end, as Julius Peppers is getting older, and even if he excels again they could use another pass rusher. The talent is there with Montgomery, however he never put it all together at LSU, maybe he will learn for the great Peppers and turn into a monster in the NFL.

51 ) Washington Redskins – Blidi Wreh-Wilson, CB (6’0 191lbs) UConn – The Redskins do not have a first round pick, so they need to hit a homerun here, and they find a good one that could be long gone in Wreh-Wilson. A solid all around corner with good speed is what the Redskins need, and they find one here in an underrated prospect.

52 ) Minnesota Vikings – Kevin Minter, LB (6’0 245lbs) LSU – Another steal for the Minnesota Vikings, they have already upgraded defensive tackle and quarterback, and now they find the inside linebacker they have been looking for in Minter. A short, stout linebacker, Minter has excellent instincts and should be able to rack up tackles in Minnesota right away.

53 ) Cincinnati Bengals – Jesse Williams, DT (6’3 323lbs) Alabama – The Bengals have already upgraded running back and cornerback in this draft, why not pick a defensive tackle who will immediately be one of the strongest men in the NFL in the Aussie out of Alabama. Williams is massive, tough, and would make the already tough Bengals even nastier in the trenches.

54 ) Miami Dolphins – Jonathan Banks, CB (6’2 185lbs) Mississippi State – The Dolphins have already upgraded tight end and offensive tackle here, and although they could use another pass rusher, they go to the secondary and draft Banks. An excellent player in college, Banks still needs some polishing in coverage, but he has a nose for the ball. He is long and his height gives him an advantage in the red zone.

55 ) Green Bay Packers – Margus Hunt, DE (6’8 277lbs) SMU – The Packers take a gamble on pure potential here, and draft physical freak Margus Hunt, who they hope can develop. The native of Estonia was sent to the United States to train for shot put and discus, in which he won gold medals in the 2006 Junior World Championships. He has an 82 inch wingspan, but he still benched 225lbs 38 times and then ran a 4.60 40 yard dash at the combine. He also displayed a 34.5 inch vertical leap. He is still very raw and does not quite understand how to play football yet, he is a project for sure, but if the Green Bay coaching staff can unlock his potential he will be a force.

56 ) Seattle Seahawks – Kawann Short, DT (6’3 300lbs) Purdue – The Seahawks add some depth along their defensive line, and get a good player who could be selected in the first round, but inconsistency and depth at the position has pushed him down a bit. He jumps into the Seattle defensive line rotation right away and provides an interior pass rush.

57 ) Houston Texans – Jonathan Hankins (6’3 320lbs) Ohio State – A big space eating defensive tackle, who will never get much of a pass rush, but holds the line and stuffs the run. Hankins fell for the same reasons that Kawann Short fell, inconsistency and depth at the position. He looked like a top fifteen pick at times last season, but was awful at others, and needs to keep his weight down but the potential is clear.

58 ) Denver Broncos – David Amerson, CB (6’1 203lbs) NC State – Was a turnover machine at NC State, he has 13 interceptions in 2011 (led NCAA), had four multi-interception games, and returned two interceptions for touchdowns. Amerson is a long corner who excels in coverage and rips jump balls away from wide receivers downfield. Speed was a major question for Amerson, but he answered all of those questions by running a 4.35 40-yard-dash, but is still a bit of a corner-safety tweener at the next level.

59 ) New England Patriots – Cornelius Washington, OLB/DE (6’4 265lbs) Georgia – The Patriots got better at cornerback in round one, and add a physical freak pass rusher here, who destroyed the NFL combine. Washington ran a 4.53 40-yard-dash and completed 36 reps of 225lbs on the bench press, just incredible numbers for a man of his size, and he is versatile enough to play standing up or with a hand in the dirt in the Patriots scheme.

60 ) Atlanta Falcons – Damontre Moore, DE (6’4 250lbs) Texas A&M – After improving their secondary in the first round, the Falcons get a much needed pass rusher in the second round, in the wildly productive Damonte Moore. Nobody’s draft stock has taken a bigger hit than Moore, he was once projected as a top ten pick, but he showed up unprepared at the combine and was very disappointing. Not being prepared for the combine is one of the worst things a player can do, and it killed Moore’s draft stock, as he came off as lazy. Still, he was very productive and extremely talented, maybe Osi Umenyiora can help het the best out of him.

61 ) San Francisco 49ers – Logan Ryan, CB (5’11 191lbs) Rutgers – Another prospect that has been quickly climbing up draft boards, Ryan is excellent in coverage, and should be able to help the 49ers right away. He can contribute immediately and makes the deepest team in the NFL even deeper as they retool to make another run at the Super Bowl.

62 ) Baltimore Ravens – Arthur Brown, LB (6’0 241lbs) Kansas State – The Ravens signed Rolando McCalin to fill their void at inside linebacker, and while he is talented he is also very unpredictable, and cannot be counted on. Here, the Ravens select Arthur Brown, who is a little small but is an absolute tackling machine who was one of the more productive linebackers in college over the past few seasons.